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"DUCK TALES"
Wild Care's Monthly E-News |
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To learn more about Wild Care, visit our web site!
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by Animal Care Coordinator, Jennifer Taylor
Swans are difficult patients because of their size. We keep critically ill patients in our indoor clinic so they can be closely observed and treated on a frequent basis. A swan's first habitat is a very large dog kennel. Once the swan becomes more active and starts to self- feed, playpens are used. The heavy bird is placed on a framed net or sometimes inside an inner tube to lessen pressure on its keel to prevent sores. (A swan spends most of its life on the water...)
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Mirror, mirror on the wall. |
At Wild Care, They eat out of buckets of water, grains and greens. As you can imagine, a swan produces a lot of excrement! Their habitats need multiple linen changes per day.
As a swan recovers, its attitude begins to change dramatically, which is always a mixed blessing! It becomes more fearful, aggressive and physically stronger. That is when it is time for the swan to be moved outside to a safe, spacious aviary where we do not have to worry about it damaging its wings or breaking its feathers.
Last November, Falmouth Animal Control Officer, Jessica Gow, brought us two juvenile sibling Mute Swans. They came to us very weak and dehydrated. One swan died, and the the
surviving swan's bloodwork showed what is considered a high level of lead poisoning - a common occurrence in long-necked waterfowl that frequently ingest lead shot and lead sinkers on the bottom of our waterways.
This swan was stabilized and was treated with lead chelation therapy, and was soon strong enough and happy to be with his pal (in the mirror) in our large aviary, a heated pad to sit on, a kiddie pool to climb into and plenty of fresh Christmas trees to hide behind.
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ter lead chelation, we swam this bird in our therapy pools for many hours at a time. We are happy to report that he was released back to Falmouth after 9 weeks with us and was lead free! Hopefully he will stay clear of lead shot and fishing lures in the future.
View more of the story and photo gallery featured in the Cape Cod Times on 1/14/17. Check it out
here!
Thanks to the many awesome supporters who came to our Wild Winter Night Event last year, Wild Care was able to purchase a state-of-the-art lead testing machine, allowing us to better diagnose and care for our patients!
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We successfully released two Common Eider this winter, and you all probably saw the articles and read about it on Facebook. It was a big deal for us here at Wild Care because we do not get to release many eider. This is because of a disease called the Wellfleet Bay Virus (WFBV).
Many Common Eider that are brought to us come in weak, dehydrated, and lethargic. Despite our best efforts, most die within 24 hours. The WFBV was discovered several years ago after MUCH study was done concerning the massive eider die offs that have been occurring on Cape Cod.
So, when these two particular eider appeared to be NOT WEAK, NOT LETHARGIC and FULL OF WILD ENERGY, the morale in our Cinic went way up!
And thank goodness for our seabird therapy pools! They allowed us to keep one eider for the entire fall after its damaged feathers did not molt out and we had to have all of these feathers plucked to stimulate immediate regrowth.
Click
here for the full story & photos featured on CapeCodToday.
"Two Common Ducks with an Uncommon Story"
The other eider had a much shorter stay having a minor abrasion on its beak and a neck injury due to a struggle with a quahog. It was the largest, heaviest, healthiest eider we have ever seen.
The timing was perfect as they both bonded and shared one pool and were able to be released together. A real joy for all of us.
Wildlife rehab can be really hard on our spirits here in the winter, when already compromised animals are brought in to us with the addition of hypothermia...
This eider experience was just what Wild Care's Staff needed for a wintertime morale boost!
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W
ild Care has over 150 volunteers.
We couldn't do what we do without them! Here's our chance to highlight some outstanding volunteers.This month we're spotlighting volunteer
Deborah Seavey
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Deb is amazing! She started as a Clinic Volunteer at Wild Care in July 2016. She is currently volunteering for two shifts per week, and has been a tremendous asset to our clinic; assisting with cleaning, restraint of animals, feeding of baby squirrels, and so much more.
Thank you you Deb. We love your energy and your laughter. You are so helpful to us at Wild Care. We are blessed to have you!
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Donate today!
Help us to help wildlife weather the winter storms.
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Dovekie photo by
Cristalyn Searles
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February 9, 2017
January was a whirlwind! We received 83 patients in January, compared with 13 patients in January 2016. You may have seen in the news that the strong Northeast storm that blew across Cape Cod in late January washed 30 Dovekies to our doorstep. These birds were weak and battered, but we were able to stabilize them, and get 18 of these birds back on their feet and released by boat into their offshore habitat...
Read the complete stories here...
After today's Blizzard, we anticipate many more seabirds will need our help over the coming days. Help us to recover these seabirds & get them back to sea.
Sincerely,
Stephanie, Executive Director
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| Dovekies - Swim Time at Wild Care! |
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We're always in need of supplies. Visit our Amazon Wishlist this giving season and add Wild Care to your shopping cart!
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Click here to donate!
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February 22 at Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis
Wild Care's -
Wild Encounters!
"Help! I found a baby bird..., "There's an orphaned squirrel at my doorstep... Now what?"
Wild Care, Inc. is a nonprofit wildlife hospital dedicated to the rescue and release of injured and orphaned wildlife on Cape Cod.
Wild Care operates a Wildlife Helpline, and rehabilitates over 1,200 animals per year. They see everything from Bald Eagles to Deer Mice.
Wild Care's Executive Director Stephanie Ellis will cover what to do when you find animals in distress, and will provide tips for living with our wild neighbors
TICKET INFORMATION:
All lectures are expected to sell out in advance - get your tickets as soon as possible!
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Wild Winter Night!
Go
wild
this winter at Wild Care's Annual Wild Winter Night!
Date: March 18, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Elks Lodge, 10 McKoy Road, Eastham
Evening festivities include:
- Silent and live auctions by renowned Auctioneer John of Terrio Auction Knights
- Live entertainment by Bert Jackson and Roe Osborn of the Bert Jackson Quartet
- Tickets include chowder, appetizers, and soft drinks. Additional food and drinks available for purchase
- Opportunity drawings
- And so much more!
Advanced Tickets: $30
Tickets at the Door: $35
Event sponsored by Lower Cape Veterinary Services and George's Place Fish Market.
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Snowy Owl by Shawn P. Carey.
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by Niki Howes, Wildlife Rehabilitator &
Volunteer Coordinator
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Photo by Leo Seletsky, Volunteer Appreciation Party 2016
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In 2016, our volunteers contributed
6,021.75
hours
!!!!
Simply amazing. Helping us with
everything from our Baby Bird Program, to volunteering in our Clinic, to Fundraising and Event Management. We simply could not do it without them.
Here's a shout out to 12 of our volunteers who contributed the most hours in 2016 (not including our Board Members!)
To our volunteers: Wild Care cared for 1,373 animals in 2016. That could not happen without YOU!! We are grateful for each and every one of you. <3 <3 <3
1. Jean Hliva- 484.25 hours
2. Lynn Cobb-Martin- 447.5
3. Charlene France- 172.5
4. Swede Plaut- 165.5
5. Joel Bullard- 159.5
6. Lisa Holt- 153.5
7. Joe LaForte- 133.5
8. Scott Stevens- 116
9. Leslie McCarthy- 104
10. Kristine Beebe- 100
11. Deb Seavey- 96.75
12. Alan Levick- 96
Thank you volunteers! If you would like to volunteer for Wild Care, we are accepting applications. Learn more...
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| Wild Care 10 Smith Lane Eastham, Massachusetts 02642 info@wildcarecapecod.org 508-240-2255 |
| About Wild Care Since 1994, Wild Care has treated injured, ill and orphaned native wildlife for release back into the wild capable of independent survival, prevented wildlife casualties through public education and counseling, and engaged the community in conservation services through volunteerism. Wild Care does not charge the public for our services. We accept wildlife regardless of a rescuer's ability to make a donation; and we never compromise quality of care or the dignity of an animal's life for fundraising purposes. |
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